[Cinci-NFB] National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter, Meeting Minutes for March, 2024

Mon Apr 22 14:04:26 UTC 2024

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
Cincinnati Chapter
Meeting Minutes for March 2024

  1.  The March 2024 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was convened by President Gloria Robinson at approximately 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, by telephone conference. Attending this evening's meeting were President Gloria Robinson, Frank Bragassa, Dave Perry, Christopher Sabine, Gary Warren, Emily Pennington, Jason Revalee, Haley Thurston, Paula Collins, Tammy McRae, and Tammy Smith attended as Chapter Members. Ohio Affiliate President Richard Payne, Ohio Affiliate Vice President Dr. Carolyn Peters, Ohio Affiliate Treasurer Cathy Legg, and at-large board members William and Suzanne Turner also attended the meeting representing the Affiliate's Board of Directors.

  1.  Christopher Sabine moved to approve the February Chapter minutes. Dave Perry seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Emily Pennington presented this month's Treasurer's Report. Dave Perry moved to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Christopher Sabine seconded, and the motion passed.

  1.  Dave Perry gave this month's Fundraising Committee report. He expressed that the Chapter's Spring Ball is currently set for May 4, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 4109 W. Eighth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45205. Doors open at 5:30, and the event will begin at 6:00 with food, live music, and door prizes. All Chapter members are asked to assist with set up and clean up following the event. Admission is $20 per person. President Gloria Robinson stated that the menu for this event will consist of barbecued chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables, dinner rolls, dessert, and drinks. Light alcoholic drinks will be available for $3. The Committee will begin distributing fliers for this event in the coming week to each chapter president as well as the Ohio-Talk Listserv. Rooms will be available at the Embassy Suites Hotel on W. Eighth Street in the Holiday Office Park for out-of-town guests for $99 per night. President Gloria Robinson is working with Best Buy on door prizes. A "meet-and-greet" is planned for the Friday night prior to the event, May 3, but the location is yet to be determined. Anyone interested in donating a door prize was asked to reach out to President Gloria Robinson. Dr. Peters asked for information concerning electronic payment options and expressed interest in donating to the Chapter, and Suzanne Turner said that she will match Dr. Peters donation. President Robinson also reported that others are expressing a willingness to contribute to the event, and Dave emphasized that the membership needs to extend the invitation to all Federationists statewide, and President Robinson indicated that she plans to send memos to the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Clovernook Center and request to post the event on a billboard at Cincinnati City Hall. Other future fundraising campaigns were discussed, including a candy sale at either the Delhi or Western Hills Kroger store locations. President Robinson promised to share information on these projects on the Cincinnati Chapter Email Listserv once further details are finalized.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson expressed her thanks to Frank Bragassa for his work on a letter to perspective corporate donors.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that Ohio Affiliate President Richard Payne has posted this year's Convention Assistance Form to the Ohio-Talk Listserv. All interested in attending this year's National Convention, currently set for July 3-8 in Orlando, Florida, must complete this form and submit it to President Payne by April 15 if they need financial assistance.

  1.  All members interested in participating in this year's Braille Enrichment and Literacy for Learning (BELL) Program at the Ohio State School for the Blind must apply to President Payne. Applications have been posted to the Ohio-Talk list. The BELL Program is currently scheduled for June 24 - July 1. President Robinson expressed that the Chapter is donating cereal, oatmeal, pop tarts, and other food items. President Robinson is managing donations to BELL from Chapter members.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson expressed that the Community Outreach Committee, which consists of her and Dave Perry, is collaborating with Pastor Damon Lynch of New Prospect Baptist Church in Cincinnati on a membership drive, but a date and location have still not been determined.

  1.  Dave Perry gave a brief report from the Membership Committee, encouraging all to take part in the membership drive and spread the word concerning the Federation. The statewide membership committee, which consists of Dave and President Robinson as well as William Turner, Chair, and Cathy Legg, is working to strengthen the relationship between the Ohio Affiliate and its chapters. The committee, which has met twice recently and plans to hold another meeting in April, is planning a call for new members with Federation leadership and more seasoned members to share what membership in the Federation means to them. The call is currently scheduled for Tuesday, May 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. All interested in participating must register in advance by reaching out to President Robinson. William Turner expressed that the committee is leaning toward not requiring participants to register in advance to accommodate those with less computer experience. William added that the meeting will include a question-and-answer session on the values and the philosophy of the Federation.
  2.  Ohio Affiliate President Richard Payne led the discussion to the National Membership Portal. Suzanne indicated that she has sent an email communication to all Ohio chapter and division presidents prior to tonight's meeting. Though the new membership website for entering new member information is currently down, there are a few chapters and divisions that have not updated their information in the national portal for current members, including Cincinnati. Inclusion in this portal is vital to ensure that members have the opportunity to vote at National Convention and receive all other benefits of membership. Currently, Emily Pennington is responsible for entering members' information into the national membership portal. Suzanne emphasized that it is important for all members to pay their annual dues, currently $5, to the Chapter to ensure that their membership is current. This also applies to divisions, (i.e., Communities of Faith, Diabetes Action Network, etc.).

  1.  Suzanne Turner shared information concerning the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for new members to attend their first National Convention. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is April 15, and members can either submit their applications online or by letter to President Richard Payne.

  1.  Dave Perry gave a report from the Ohio Diabetes Action Network (DAN). DAN currently has an ongoing fundraiser until March 25. Further information was posted to the Ohio-Talk list and is also available via the divisions Facebook Page or by contacting Walter Mitchell, the division's president. DAN is also holding a national conference from April 26-28 in ST. Louis, Missouri and Walter Mitchell needs information on who is attending ASAP.

  1.  Dr. Peters expressed that the Miami Valley Chapter is holding two fundraisers. First, the chapter is selling water bottles for $10 each. The chapter is also selling baked goods through the Tastefully Simple Campaign until April 15.

  1.  President Gloria Robinson indicated that the April meeting will be a "hybrid" meeting, but President Gloria Robinson indicated that a location for the meeting has not yet been announced. President Gloria Robinson or Vice President Dave Perry will be posting meeting information to the Ohio-Talk Listserv once a meeting place is determined. Dave Perry strongly encouraged all members to attend meetings in-person.

  1.  Suzanne Turner reported that the Affiliate is conducting two statewide fundraisers to cover the cost of State Convention and other entities. The first is the Piggest Raffle Ever, which coincides with Cincinnati's Flying Pig Marathon on May 5. Tickets are available for $5 apiece with all proceeds going to the Ohio Affiliate. Suzanne requested that each member pledge to purchase one ticket and have five other people sign up for this raffle, which is located online at https://www.piggestraffleever.com. The grand prize is $10,000 ($5,000 for the winner and $5,000 for their sponsoring charity). Second place is $5,000 ($2,500 for the winner and $2,500 for their sponsoring charity), and third place is a weekend getaway in Downtown Cincinnati. The Ohio Affiliate is also selling meat sticks, which can be purchased online through the Affiliate's web site and resold to benefit the Chapter.

  1.  The March 2024 meeting of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio, Cincinnati Chapter was adjourned at approximately 8:10 P.M. on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Respectfully Submitted,

Christopher Sabine

Secretary

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

Cincinnati Chapter

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